ICS Daily Devotions
We Are the Church

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all thigs that I have commended you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Do you lament over the state of the church? Historical churches that hosted large crowds and experienced revivals are now tourist attractions, while elsewhere, there is a greying of the church population. The church has been tasked with reaching out to the lost while nurturing believers, but it has largely turned inward-looking. The Spirit of God that yearns for the lost is being quenched by the indifference of the church. However, the church cannot afford to slumber and sleep but needs to rise up to the call for world evangelism. The disruption of onsite services due to COVID-19 should not stop us from reaching out to the lost. God’s last command, the Great Commission, ought to be the church’s first concern.
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Jesus’ view of the church is strong, authoritative, vibrant, mission-minded, focused, influential, firm, vigorous and unyielding. Nothing can come in the way of the church of the living God! Many of us wrongly think that the church refers to a building, but Jesus was referring to those who recognised, acknowledged, and accepted Him as the Messiah—the people who make up the church. Therefore, the church should still be growing when the church building is closed.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

The Spirit of God dwells in every believer because the blood of Jesus Christ has satisfied the wrath of God towards sin. Because we have been redeemed, cleansed, and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are a clean and cleansed vessel for the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We, the individuals, collectively make up the temple of God and the church.

1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV) You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

Jesus is the cornerstone of the church, and we are the living stones that make up the spiritual house. We are the temple of God that houses the Spirit of the living God. Therefore, what is important is that the individual is walking with God, passionate about their love for Him, and faithful in carrying out the Great Commission. We love the lost because He first loved us—that in itself is a revival, and it is when every believer has a personal revival that the church experiences a revival.

Sermon Series: Arise and Build